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Honeybee swarms #6881728
05/25/20 10:52 AM
05/25/20 10:52 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,985
Oregon
beaverpeeler Offline OP
trapper
beaverpeeler  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,985
Oregon
Was wondering what you smart guys thought about this: I have 12 rented hives to supplement my own for berry pollination. The last few days there have been some swarms that came off of them into a nearby cherry tree. Four days ago there were three swarms in the same tree. They were about 12-15' apart and all smallish...maybe 2 deep frames worth. So would these of all came out of the same hive? All have their own queen?

Since they were so small I captured the two easy ones and put them in the same deep hive body. Third one was too inaccessible.

Then two days ago I had two more come up from these hives into the same tree. One bigger one (three frames or more) and another smaller two frame swarm. Caught those and gave each their own hive.

About four weeks ago I had three come out of those hives into another tree and by the time I came back an hour or so later they had coalesced into one big swarm. So just one queen?


My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
Re: Honeybee swarms [Re: beaverpeeler] #6881837
05/25/20 01:11 PM
05/25/20 01:11 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,790
M.T.V. Alaska
Y
yukonjeff Offline
trapper
yukonjeff  Offline
trapper
Y

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,790
M.T.V. Alaska
The small swarms are "after swarms" after the main ones leaves. The hive usually has several queen cells that hatch and leave. Some hives will swarm to death.

There was probably virgin queens in each swarm.( you could check for marked queens.) I would put them in their own box and do the happy dance since you got free bees from a beekeeper that is neglecting his hives.

Might take two weeks before the virgin queen starts laying.

Put a jar of feed on them and hope they stay.

Re: Honeybee swarms [Re: beaverpeeler] #6881865
05/25/20 01:57 PM
05/25/20 01:57 PM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,971
Oklahoma
M
Matt28 Offline
trapper
Matt28  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,971
Oklahoma
Man if you can keep catching them swarms you wont have to rent anymore hives. Is the bee keeper not coming around to check his bee's?

Re: Honeybee swarms [Re: beaverpeeler] #6882195
05/25/20 08:02 PM
05/25/20 08:02 PM
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 391
tn
L
lestan101 Offline
trapper
lestan101  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 391
tn
I put swarms up for my neighbor because he works. So far this year we have put up 20 swarms from his bees and I caught one wild swarm up on the hill above my house. I love to put swarms but I'm too lazy to keep up with the hives.

Re: Honeybee swarms [Re: beaverpeeler] #6882380
05/26/20 12:15 AM
05/26/20 12:15 AM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,944
South metro, MN
C
Calvin Online content
trapper
Calvin  Online Content
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,944
South metro, MN
It's been hard to keep the hives from swarming for me this year.

I know one guy who counted 9 queens in one swarm. I believe all virgins as noted above.

I saw the biggest swarm to date today....right above one of my bee yards frown . Unless you just have a couple hives, sometimes it's hard to keep up...especially with an onset of hot weather.

Re: Honeybee swarms [Re: beaverpeeler] #6882389
05/26/20 01:22 AM
05/26/20 01:22 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,985
Oregon
beaverpeeler Offline OP
trapper
beaverpeeler  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,985
Oregon
It has been my understanding that it is the old queen that departs the hive leaving the virgins with the original hive?

But that does make sense for why I'm seeing multiple swarms. BTW, they all came out of the hive (or hives) at the same time. Saw them when they made their exit.


My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
Re: Honeybee swarms [Re: beaverpeeler] #6882395
05/26/20 03:03 AM
05/26/20 03:03 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,790
M.T.V. Alaska
Y
yukonjeff Offline
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yukonjeff  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,790
M.T.V. Alaska
Yes that is correct. the old queen is the first to go. if multiple queen cells hatch they take smaller swarms after her.

Re: Honeybee swarms [Re: beaverpeeler] #6882564
05/26/20 10:42 AM
05/26/20 10:42 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,104
Piney va. soon be 19
cotton Offline
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cotton  Offline
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Posts: 8,104
Piney va. soon be 19
That first swarm is called the prime swarm, the old queen and about half the hive take off.
Always try catch that one, it will build up fast and has the best chance to make a strong colony.


John 3/16

ifin your gonna be dumb ya gotta be tough
VTA life member

Re: Honeybee swarms [Re: beaverpeeler] #6882580
05/26/20 11:22 AM
05/26/20 11:22 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,985
Oregon
beaverpeeler Offline OP
trapper
beaverpeeler  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,985
Oregon
Thanks for the enlightenment guys! BTW, rare for me, one of my captured swarms didn't stick. Checked it this morning and they left.

I usually smear some honey on a frame or two and that does the trick but maybe I was too light handed on the treats this time.


My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
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